TRAINSPOTTING

Trainspotting Opening Sequence Analysis

In the opening sequence of Trainspotting we can see two characters running from what appear to be two security guards. The two characters are dressed in casual but well-worn clothes, whereas the two security guards are dressed in suits. We are met by the speech “choose life”.  This voice over is presented with a close-up on a character we can assume to be the person speaking. As the two men continue to run, the camera gives us a low angle view of valuables dropping to the floor.  This, combined with the authority chasing after them, gives the audience the impression that the two men in the foreground have stolen these items.

                  As the chase continues, the camera focuses on the character speaking, we assume him to be the main character. He begins to gin distance and the other man is left behind. This disregard for the other man perhaps suggests that he does not care about friendships. His idea is supported by the voice over as he is listing materialistic things such as ‘cars’ and ‘compact disc players’. Shortly after, the main character runs out into the road in front of a car, he rolls over the bonnet.  His friend runs past with a security guard on his tail.  As he stands up, he stares into the camera, which is positioned on the other side of the windshield, and smiles. At this moment, the screen freezes briefly and he is introduced as Renton. The camera positioning makes this shot all the more personal as we feel as though we are in the seat of the car.

                  The next shot is of Renton smoking in what could be his home. It is run down and there is a large tear in the wall through which we can see the bare shelves in the kitchen. There are no ceiling lights; the shot is lit by the sunlight coming from a window. There is also no carpet and the only furniture we see are some industrial plastic chairs.

                  We are now shown Renton’s friends as the voice over cues “choose your friends”. They are playing a game of football; each character is introduced individually, the screen freezing briefly in the same way as before. As the screen freezes, we as an audience are given a moment to read the name and associate it to the character. From the costumes of the players, we can see that they are not professional footballers, yet they are still competitive. The opposing team are wearing full football kits. We can see that they are the victors as the group of friends line up as targets. As the ball hits Renton, he drops to the floor. Simultaneously we are shown a shot of him falling to the floor in his derelict home. At this point, the voice of Renton confesses his heroin drug abuse. He sounds proud of his decisions despite knowing that he did not have any of the things in life he listed. The contrast between innocently playing football and drug abuse shows the audience the lifestyle Renton lives is unstable and yet consistent. The music playing through out is a contemporary song called Lust for Life by Iggy Pop. The upbeat raw sound of the drums could purposefully match the tempo of the running men in the beginning. It could also represent the fast beating heart and rush you would receive from the high of the heroin.